Richmond Family Foundation matching grant gives big boost to Any Baby Can

Jack Richmond says he and his wife, Laura, derive great satisfaction from seeing the positive impact of matching funds on nonprofit organizations’ fundraising efforts.

Each year, the Richmond Family Foundation selects one nonprofit organization to receive up to $100,000 in matching funds for money raised by the nonprofit during the month of March. In selecting a different charity each year, the Richmond Family Foundation focuses on “cutting edge” organizations, with special consideration given to “new or fledgling organizations that could falter without a boost,” Richmond said.

This year’s recipient, Any Baby Can, which serves families with children facing serious health or developmental challenges, enjoyed a substantial increase in giving due to the challenge. Any Baby Can’s campaign raised $264,000. The Richmond Family Foundation’s match of $100,000 brought the total to $364,000. The Richmonds presented the matching check to Any Baby Can at the nonprofit’s board meeting on April 26.

Front row, Laura and Jack Richmond present check from Richmond Family Foundation to Rick Byrd, board chairman of Any Baby Can. Standing are Heather C. Diehl, director of donor relations for the San Antonio Area Foundation, and Dawn Dixon, executive director of Any Baby Can.

The Richmonds started the matching grant challenge in 1998 in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their company, Pizza Hut of San Antonio, a restaurant franchise with 32 units. Its first recipient, Christian Assistance Ministry, raised $140,000 and received the $100,000 match for a total of $240,000, an amazing feat given their total annual budget was $400,000 at the time.

“Not only has it monetarily enhanced these charities that we have selected, but it has energized the charity and it gives an added boost to their volunteers and their staff,” Jack Richmond said.

In the case of Any Baby Can, board members and other supporters solicited contributions from their community contacts, including friends and fellow church and club members.

“It gives us such a great opportunity to hear from past and current donors because people are excited when their contributions are doubled,” said Kay Maynard, development director at Any Baby Can. “We wanted to really maximize the potential to reach out to people who may not necessarily attend an event.”

Without the overhead of a gala or other event, Any Baby Can raised a substantial sum.

“This is directly impacting the families that we serve,” Maynard said. “It has been a difficult economy and this comes at a great time for us when we need to continue funding our programs and serving the families that come through our door.”

The Richmond Family Foundation is a “supporting organization” with the San Antonio Area Foundation.

Becoming a supporting organization with the Area Foundation is a way for a private foundation to enjoy the benefits of a public foundation without the administrative headaches. The Richmonds’ relationship with the Area Foundation dates back to 1985, when they established the Wade Richmond Memorial Scholarship Trust in memory of their son. They built on that relationship in 2006, when Area Foundation Legal Counsel Richard Goldsmith helped convert their private foundation to a supporting organization.

“I want this to keep going for 100 years,” Richmond said. “The San Antonio Area Foundation is a stabilizing influence to keep it going after I’m gone.”

Richmond said the Area Foundation frees him from the burden of managing his foundation while still allowing him and his wife to pursue their charitable goals.

“They do all the administration and all that is required by the government, and all the financial investment,” Richmond said. “I’m not bothered with any of that, and it’s also nice to have it at an arm’s length.”

Heather C. Diehl is director of Donor Relations at the San Antonio Area Foundation.

The San Antonio Area Foundation, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014, makes grants from funds established by individuals, families, businesses or other entities to support charitable causes. The Area Foundation manages more than $250 million in assets and has distributed more than $230 million for scholarships and grants to educate youth, preserve the environment, protect animals, fund research and provide services that enhance the quality of life in our region.